DOWNTOWN Abbey star Hugh Bonneville is miffed that the show’s opening credits feature the rear end of a dog next to his name.

The actor, who plays Lord Grantham and is due to return to our screens for a Christmas special on Tuesday, said: “It is the weirdest thing. We’ve got a palace, we’ve got these beautiful actors, we’ve got motorcars, but let’s start with the dog’s butt, and my name next to it.

“Someone up there hates me. I don’t know why. It’s an interesting opening choice, but it’s become a bit of a thing about the show now – hound’s bum.”

During the US interview Hugh, 49, joked that Downtown’s creator, Julian Fellowes, had been inspired by Coronation Street to come up with the aristocratic drama, which is so popular in the States it has won multiple Golden Globe nominations again this year.

“He made a posh soap with 18 or 20 central characters and the pace of the West Wing,” said Bonneville.

He made a posh soap with 18 or 20 central characters and the pace of the West Wing

Hugh Boneville

“I think one of the things is that Julian Fellowes, who writes every episode, is a huge fan of a soap we have in Britain called Coronation Street.”

The star also revealed that he had to reshoot scenes this summer as he was so hoarse from cheering on Mo Farah to Gold at the London Olympics.